Clamping mechanism for radial drills



May 5, 1925. r 1,536,727 V I. C. F. RANDOLPH ET A-L GLAMPING MECHANISM FOR RADIAL DRILLS Filed Feb. 2, 1922 C 3140a to: 01.6. W

1 (1 1' Iowa;

Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLIFFORD F. RANDOLPH AND CHARLES L. RICARDS, OF PLAINFIELID, NEW JERSEY,

ASSIGNORS TO NILES-BEMENT-PON-D COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORA- I TION OF, NEW JERSEY.

CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR RADIAL DRILLS.

Application filed February 2, 1922. Serial No. 533,610. 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CLIFFORD F. RAN- nonrn and CHARLES L. RIQARDS, citizens of the United States, and residents of Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clamping Mechanisms'for Radial Drills, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to radial drilling machines and particularly to the arm and saddle clamping mechanism therefor. In such machines is provided a Vertical, column on which is mounted a-h0rizontal arm slidably carrying thereon a drill spindle supporting saddle. The arm is normally adjustable in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of the column and the saddle is adjustable along the arm. Power means for clamping the arm against such movement about the column axis and means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm is also provided. It is the primary object of this invention to provide a singlemcans for controlling the said power means and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations. i

Another object of the invention is to provide clamping mechanism of the above type and means for either performing both clumping operations together by a single controlling means or independently controlling either clamping means to perform its clamping operation independently of the other.

A. further and more specific object of the invention is to provide in a radial drill of the above type, electrically operated clamping means for clamping the arm against movement, a switch for controlling the said means, means for clamping the saddle against movement on the arm and a single means for controlling the said switch and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations.

lVith the above and other objects in view, ourinvention consists in the features of'construction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In such drawingannexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, we have shown our invention embodied in a preferred form of radial drilling machine but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended tothis specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Referring to the figures of the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a radial drill showing our improvements applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial front view of the drill spindle supporting saddle and arm.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View through the arm on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, certain of the improved mechanism being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a detail view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detail view taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

In the drawing accompanying this specilication, we have illustrated our invention in connection with a radial drill of the type shown in a copending application, Serial No. 381,556 to W. T. Sears. In such machine, the drill arm supporting column is rotatably mounted on the base of the machine and is adapted to be clamped against rotation by means of an electric motor. In the drawing illustrative of our invention, such a motor is shown for clamping the column against rotation and means is provided for securing the saddle against movement along the arm. A common means is provided on the saddle for controlling the motor. and operating the saddle clamp. Means is also provided whereby these clamping operations may be performed independently when such operation is desired. It will be understood that the details shown in the drawing are illustrative of the invention which is capable of being embodied in various forms in other types of radial .drills.

Referring more specifically to the drawing by reference characters, 1 indicates the base of the drillingmachine supported on a bed 2. Mounted on the base, for movement about a vertical axis is a column 3. Preferably this column is divided or formed in two parts as shown in Patent N 0. 1,071,- 590, dated August26th, 1913. Supported on the column and vertically adjustable with respect thereto is a horizontal arm 4 along which is slidable a saddle 5 carrying a head provided with a rotatable drill spindle 6. Preferably the arm 4 or a carrying member therefor extends through the column between the two parts thereof and directly supports a gear casing 7 and an electric motor 8. From the motor 8 power 1s transmitted through gearing in the casing 7 to the main power shaft 9 extending longitudinally of the arm and thence to the spindle 6. The mechanisms thus far described do not of themselves constitute any part of the present invention and they can be considerably modified as required.

The column 3 preferably is provided with an extension 10 which projects downward into the base parts 2 and 1. For carrymg the weight of the column and associated parts during turning movement, we provide a series of centrally disposed devices. As illustrated, there is an anti-friction column support in the form of a ball thrust bearing 11 resting upon a plate 12. En-

gaging the top race of the ball bearing is a vertical tube 13, this tube. extend ng through a central aperture in the pro ection 10 and being freely movable therein.

Supported on the top of the tube 13 is a coil spring 14 and this coil spring in turn supports a second vertical tube 15. The tube 15 at its top engages a bushlng 16 which has threaded engagement with the column. The spring 14 is sufficiently powerful to carry the entire weight of the column and associated parts when the clamping mechanism is released. The bottom of the column 3 is provided with a horizontal surface 17 adapted under certain conditions to engage a horizontal surface 18 on the top of the base section 2.

In assembling, the Surfaces 17 and 18 will be initially in contact. The bushing 16 is then turned so as to transfer the weight of' of the column from the base 2 to the vertical tube 15 and thence to the spring 14 and the ball bearing 11. The column is I thus supported with the surfaces 17 and 18 entirely out of engagement. With the surfaces 17 and 18- on of engagement and with the weight of the parts substantially balanced on the bearing 11, it is possible to swing the column and arm very easily. After the arm has been swung to the desired position, the column is clamped by the mechanism now to be described. The clamping mechanism 'is vertically acting, viz, applies pressure to the column downward in opposition to the spring, thus f0rcing the surface 17 into a direct clamping engagement with the surface 18.

Carried by the extension 10 near the bottom thereof is a ring 19 having a downwardly and outwardly inclined upper surface. The base section 2 is provided with mediately above the top surface of the ring 19. Interposed between the ring 19 and the flange 20 is a split ring 21 having bottomand top surfaces adapted respectively to engage the top surface of the ring 19 and the bottom surface of the flange 20. The ring 21 carries two apertured tears through which extends a threaded rod 22. At one end the rod 22 is engaged by a threaded handle 23 and at the other end is engaged by a threaded sleeve 24, this sleeve being adapted to be operated by a clamping motor 25 as shown in the drawing. The split clamping ring can therefore be operated either by hand or by power means, the latter operating through a worm 26 and worm wheel 27 secured to the said sleeve 24. This mechanism of itself is not a part-of this invention and therefore will not, be further described herein. Such mechanism is however defined in detail in the above cited application. The motor 25 is controlled by a reversing drum switch 28 as shown in Fig. 3. The switch is rotated from a bevel gear 29 through mechanism to be hereinafter described. Contact of the terminals 30 and 31 by means of the pole 31' is adaptedto operate the motor in a clamping direction, and contact of the terminals 30 and 32 by means of the pole 32 is adapted to operate the motor in an unclamping direction.

The means for clamping thesaddle 5 to the arm 4 will now be described. A clamping shoe 33 engages a shoulder 34 on the arm 4. This shoe is supported by a threaded rod 35 extending through the saddle and having threaded to the front end thereof a nut or sleeve 36. The rod is also provided with an extended portion 37 having a hand lever 38 secured to the outer end thereof. The sleeve 36 is adapted to be rotatably operated to clamp or unclamp the saddle by means of a gear 39, such gear having a loose clutch connection with the sleeve as shown in Fig. 5. The sleeve is provided with two diametrically opposite lugs 40 adapted to be engaged by two similarlugs 41 on the gear 39. The purpose of this loose connection is hereinafter described.

Both the clamping motor switch 28 and the gear 39 are adapted to be operated from a single controlling lever 42 mounted on the saddle 5. As shown in Fig. 3, the following comprises the operative connection from the lever 42 to the said elements; lever 42, shaft 43, bevel gears 44, vertical shaft 45, bevel gear 46 engaging bevel gear teeth 39 on gear 39, spur gear teeth 39 on gear 39 engaging spur gear 47 on shaft 48, and a bevel gear 49 on shaft 48 meshing with the aforementioned switch bevel gear 29.

. 5O coiled about the shaft 43 and having the ends thereof engaging opposite sides of 2. lug 51 on the geanrasing 52. An arm 53 secured to the" shaft 43 is provided with a pin 54 extending between the said spring ends. It will be seen that movement of the lever 42 and arm 53 in either direction will be against the action of the spring which will always tend to bring such elements back tothe neutral position.

Considering both clam ingmechanisms to be in the unclamped posltion, the operation of the mechanism is as follows. To operate both clamping mechanisms to secure the arm and column against movement on the base and thesaddle against movement on the arm, the operator moves the lever 42 to the right (Figs. 1 and v2). Such operation, through the connections described, rotates the switch 28 to make a clamping contact at 30, 31 whereby the motor is rotated in a direction to clamp the column, and rotates the gear 39 to the right which, through the connection shown in Fig. 5 rotates the sleeve 36 to draw the shoe 33 into clamping contact with the arm 4. The operator now releases the lever 42 which, through the spring 50, is. returned to a neutralposition, the switch 28 also returning to a neutral or open position, as has been described. Because of the loose connection shown in Fig. 5, however, the gear 39 is permitted this backward rotation without rotating the clamping sleeve 36. The arm clamp is there- .fore left in its clamping position. When it is desired to release the clamps, the lever 42 is swung to the left. Such operation rotates the sleeve 36 to the left to unclamp the saddle and contacts the switch at 32 where-- by the motor 25 is rotated in the unclamping direction. The operator now releases the lever 42 which goes back to a neutral position, as also doesthe switch 28. Because of the loose connection shown in Fig. 5, however, the sleeve 36 remains in its unclamping position.

1 It may sometimes be desired to operate.

' the arm clamp without operating the saddle clamp or vice versa. Such operations may be performed as follows: it will be noted that the lever 38 may occupy either of two positions 55- or 56 (Figs. 1 and 2). When in the position 56, as illustrated, the screw rod '35 is so adjusted in the nut 36 that rotation of the nut in the clamping operation, just described serves to clamp or unclamp the saddle along with'the clamping or unclamping of the arm. If it is desired to clamp the arm without clamping the saddle, the lever. 38 is moved.,to the position 55;-Such rotation thereof so adjusts the screw 35 in the nut 36 and releases the shoe 33 that the rotation of the nut 36 in the usual clamping operation is insufficient to effect clamping of the saddle. When so adjusted, the lever 42 may be usedto operate the switch 28. to clamp or release the arm without effecting clamping of the saddle. The saddle may be clamped independentl of the arm by the use of'the lever 38.

hat we claim is:

1. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normallv adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means including electrically operated means for clamping the arm against move ment about the column axis and the saddle against movement along the arm, a switch for controlling the electrically operated means, a hand lever for controlling the switch and both said clamping operations, movement of the lever in one direction being adapted to perform the clamping operations and movement thereof in the opposite direction being adapted to perform the unclamping operations, and means normally holding the switch and lever in a neutral position with the said clamping means in either an arm and saddle clamping or unclamping position. i p

2. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a columnsupported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, means for 105 clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, and means for controlling both said clamping means from a single source to perform both clamping operations together or for independently controlling either clamping means to perform its clamping operation independently of the other.

3. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column. axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, means for clamping the saddle against-movement along the arm, and means for controlling both said clamping means from a single source to perform both clamping operations together, the said controlling means also being optionally operative on the first clamping means to clamp the arm without clamping the saddle.

4. In a drilling machine, the combination of a'base, a column supported thereon, an

arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, means for controlling both said clamping means from a single source to perform both clamping operations rotating one of such elements to efiect clamping of the saddle to the arm and to simultaneously effect the clamping ofv the arm, and means for rotating the other element to independently efiect clamping of the saddle.

6. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an armmounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, means comprising a screw and a nut threaded thereon for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, means for relatively rotating the screw and nut to effect clamping of the saddle to the arm and to simultaneously effect the clamping of the arm, and means for relatively adjusting the screw and nut to place the saddle clamping means in either an operative or an inopera tive position.

7. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, means comprising a screw and a nut threaded thereon for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, means for rotating the nut to elfect clamping of the saddle to the arm'and to simultaneously effect the clamping of the'arm, and means for rotatively adjusting the screw to place the saddle clamping means in either an operative or an inoperative position.

8. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, electrically operated means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, a switch for controlling such means, means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, and a single hand operated means for controlling the said switch and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations.

9. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, electrically operated means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, a switch for controlling such means, means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, a single hand operated means for controlling the said switch and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations, and means permitting the return of the switch to an open position without effecting the position of the saddle clamp.

10. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle suporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, electrically operated means for clamp ing the arm against movement about the column axis, a switch for controlling such means, means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, a single hand operated means for controlling the said switch and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations, and a lost motion connection between the said hand operated means and the saddle clamping means whereby the switch and handle may be returned to a neutral position Without effecting the position of the saddle clamp.

11. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting hori- 'zontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, electrically operated means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, a switch for controlling such means, means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, a single hand operated means for controlling the said switch and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations, and means whereby either the switch or saddle clamp may be operated independently of the other.

12. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column, projecting horizontally therefrom and normally adjustable about the column axis, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, power means for clamping the arm against movement about the column axis, means for clamping the saddle agamst movement along the arm, and a single hand means for controlling both said clamping operations.

13. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column rotatably supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column and projecting horizontally therefrom, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, power means for clamping the column against rotation on the base,

means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, and a single hand operated means for controlling the power means and operating the saddle clamping means to perform both clamping operations.

14. In a drilling machine, the combination of a base, a column rotatably supported thereon, an arm mounted on the column and projecting horizontally therefrom, a spindle supporting saddle carried by and adjustable along the arm, means for clamping the column against rotation on the base, an electric motor for operating such means, a switch for controlling the motor, means for clamping the saddle against movement along the arm, and a single hand operated means on the saddle for controllin the said switch and operating the saddle lamping means t perform both clamping operations.

In testimony whereof, we hereto afiix our signatures.

CLIFFORD F. RANDOLPH. CHARLES L. RICARDS. 

